Slooowing the walk down...

[AllEquestrian]

i'm having a slight problem with my horse, in that he won't walk slowly. well he will for a bit but then he seems to get bored and starts to speed walk - do you lot have any good ideas for slowing the walk down?

hes ridden in a loose ring snaffle (single jointed or double jointed copper snaffle) and with a running martingale. don't really want to change his tack...

[Tuff_up]

as with the post for speeding the walk up it could be your attitude and seat. i know with my horse that if you are some what nervous that day a nice calm horse like tuffy will become a bit nervous because you are nervous. so maybe try being calm and droopy sorry i am just a beginner also maybe try a deeper seat i know when i am trying to get a nice western jog out of my horse i go into a deep seat and her once fast paced long stride trot is now much slower and much more pleasure looking

[Cheeky]

Tuff up - just right :)

Your seat is like a convosation. Remember, horses communicate (aka "talk") through body language. Even green horses can pick up on your seat ..

As well as relaxing your seat, you could ask for some half halts. Sure, this may only work for a little while . .but as soon as you start to feel your horse speed up again, give another half halt.

Good luck :)

[Susara]

to support what others have said about using a relaxed seat to slow him down; one way of doing this is to use breathing techniques.

Breathe in deeply, but RELAXED, and then really really relax and become soft as you breath out. Breathe in deep into your tummy, so your tummy sags on breathing in, rather than tucking in. Let your whole body just totally relax, feeling your weight sink into the saddle. You can even try turning yourself into a slumpy bag of potatoes - you might find your horse coming to a standstil!

When you breathe, time it with the horse's strides; slowly in for four strides, slowly out for four strides - as slow as you find comfortable. You might time your breathing to be a bit behind his movement to strenthen the effect of slowing him down.

I'm practicing this with my one RI at the moment, still struggling but when I do manage it it really works! The horse's stride slows down, but becomes longer. A wonderful swinging feeling.

[MollyLolly]

This is my version.

make sure your in an arena with space. have a loose reign but very slight contact and the moment he speeds up... circle. if he doesn't slow down circle even tighter until he slows down. the moment you feel him slow down, let go of the contact and let him walk out onto the bigger circle. its that simple. you will end up doing about 30 circles before he actually starts thinking about it... well it depends on him really.. but be patient. soon you will be able to nudge one rein and he will slow right down... wondering whether your asking him to stop or slow down. give that a go. you need to get your horse in a good rythmn and listening to you before you can concentrate on yourself.

[AllEquestrian]

thanks everyone for your reply. we've moved him to another yard and since hes been there he hasn't "speed-walked" at all, hes also much calmer over all, less spooky, lighter in my hands etc, etc. hes just generally calmer!

so hopefully thats it sorted!